System for directing a lost person to a rescue location

• US 7,755,496 B1
• Filed: 02/12/2008
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Bernstein
• Original Assignee: Michael Bernstein
• Inventors: Bernstein, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US12/069,622
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 340/573.4, 340/981, 340/384.4, 340/815.4, 340/815.69, 342/357.09, 342/357.1, 116/209, 116/210, 116/211, 244/33
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/00 Life-saving in water life-saving in general A62B; arrangement or adaptation of signalling or lighting devices for ships, other waterborne vessels or for equipment for shipping B63B45/00; rescue equipment specially adapted for submarine personnel B63G8/40
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/002 Distress signalling devices, e.g. rescue balloons vehicle optical signalling for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A system for directing a lost person to a predetermined location for pickup including a tethered balloon or other highly visible signal deployed at the pickup location. A manned or remotely controlled aircraft is provided for flying over the area in which the lost person is presumed to be located. The aircraft is equipped with a downward directed loudspeaker broadcasting an audible message instructing the lost person to walk towards the balloon or other signal at the rescue location. The aircraft may be a fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft, and airship such as a dirigible or blimp, an ultralight, or a hybrid aircraft.

Claims

1. A system for helping a lost person locate a predetermined location, comprising:

a) a visible signal displayed at a rescue location; and

b) an aircraft for traversing an area and having means for broadcasting an audible message.

2. The system for helping a lost person locate a predetermined location as recited in claim 1, wherein said visible signal comprises a balloon and a light source.

3. The system for helping a lost person locate a predetermined location as recited in claim 2, wherein said light source comprises at least one light source selected from the group:

a rotating beacon, and a strobe light.

4. The system for helping a lost person locate a predetermined location as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for broadcasting comprises at least one device selected from the group:

a loudspeaker, an amplifier, and means for reproducing a recorded message.

5. The system for helping a lost person locate a predetermined location as recited in claim 1, wherein said aircraft comprises at least one of the types selected from the group:

fixed-wing, rotary-wing, lighter-than-air, and hybrid.

6. The system for helping a lost person locate a predetermined location as recited in claim 5, wherein said aircraft comprises a manned aircraft.

7. The system for helping a lost person locate a predetermined location as recited in claim 5, wherein said aircraft comprises an unmanned, remotely controlled aircraft.

8. The system for helping a lost person locate a predetermined location as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

c) a message-bearing banner flexibly attached to said aircraft such that said message-bearing banner trails behind said aircraft when said aircraft is flown.

9. A method of assisting a lost person in locating a predetermined rescue location, the steps comprising:

a) providing a first lighter-than-air aircraft having a light source attached thereto;

b) elevating and tethering said first lighter-than-air aircraft at said search and rescue site;

c) providing a second aircraft having a sound system enabled to broadcast an audible message therefrom;

d) flying said second aircraft over an area presumed to contain a lost person; and

e) broadcasting from said sound system an audible message directing said lost person to move towards a light beam projected from said light source.

10. The method of assisting a lost person to locate a predetermined rescue location as recited in claim 9, wherein said providing step (a) comprises providing a first lighter-than-air aircraft having a rotary beacon attached thereto.

11. The method of assisting a lost person to locate a predetermined rescue location as recited in claim 10, the steps further comprising:

f) illuminating said rotary beacon.

12. The method of assisting a lost person to locate a predetermined rescue location as recited in claim 11, wherein said providing step (c) comprises supplying a second aircraft selected from the group:

fixed-wing, rotary-wing, airship, dirigible, blimp, ultralight, and hybrid.

13. The method of assisting a lost person to locate a predetermined rescue location as recited in claim 9, wherein said first lighter-than-air aircraft comprises a balloon.

14. The method of assisting a lost person to locate a predetermined rescue location as recited in claim 13, wherein said providing step (a) comprises providing a balloon having a rotary beacon attached thereto.

15. The method of assisting a lost person to locate a predetermined rescue location as recited in claim 14, the steps further comprising:

f) illuminating said rotary beacon.

16. The method of assisting a lost person to locate a predetermined rescue location as recited in claim 13, wherein said providing step (c) comprises supplying a second aircraft selected from the group:

fixed-wing, rotary-wing, airship, dirigible, blimp, ultralight, and hybrid.